Isaac Asimov (1920-1992)

Isaac Asimov was an American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University. During his lifetime, Asimov was considered one of the "Big Three" science fiction writers, along with Robert A. Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke. A prolific writer, he wrote or edited more than 500 books. He also wrote an estimated 90,000 letters and postcards. Best known for his hard science fiction, Asimov also wrote mysteries and fantasy, as well as popular science and other non-fiction.

Quotes

To surrender to ignorance and call it God has always been premature, and it remains premature today.
The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' (I found it!) but 'That's funny...'

Science
Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome.

Death, Life, Life & Death
The Law of conservation of energy tells us we can't get something for nothing, but we refuse to believe it.

Science
Why is it that you physicists always require so much expensive equipment? Now the Department of Mathematics requires nothing but money for paper, pencils, and erasers...and the Department of Philosophy is better still. It doesn't even ask for erasers.

Philosophy, Science
I do not fear computers. I fear lack of them.
People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.
So the universe is not quite as you thought it was. Youd better rearrange your beliefs, then. Because you certainly cant rearrange the universe.
The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not -Eureka!- but -That's funny...-.
The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.